Menger-Based Bone Scaffold Design and Mechanical Analysis
摘要
Porous scaffolds play a crucial role in bone regeneration. Their morphology facilitates optimum requirements of bone ingrowth at specified locations. The morphological parameters like pore size and porosity of these scaffolds can be customized based on the location of defective areas. In this study, we explored the design and mechanical properties of a Menger-based porous scaffold, intending to mimic the characteristics of natural bone. To achieve this, Menger scaffolds incorporating square and circular pores were designed using the fractal iteration method in Creo software, to optimize both structural integrity and functional performance. Mechanical properties were assessed by finite element method using Ansys structural analysis in the workbench. Based on the optimum requirements of bone ingrowth, the scaffolds were designed with porosities of 59.35% (square) and 56.09% (circular), and pore sizes of 370 μm and 410 μm, respectively. By assigning medical grade Ti6Al4V material properties to the scaffold, mechanical properties were evaluated under axial displacement load using static structural analysis. The results for the Menger square model indicate Young’s modulus of 24.97 GPa and compressive yield strength of 93.06 MPa. In comparison, the Menger circular model exhibited a higher Young’s modulus of 31.34 GPa but a lower compressive yield strength of 76.18 MPa. While Young’s modulus values are comparable to those of cortical bone, the compressive yield strengths suggest that the scaffolds offer sufficient mechanical stability for orthopaedic applications. This study highlights the potential of Menger sponge fractal scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.